What's New: mini donkeys

All Posts Tagged Tag: ‘mini donkeys’

Image0231

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: The Dirt Piles 8-23-13

0

There’s a lot of construction going on at the ranch, but Spuds and Augie sense the opportunity for adventure!


“Hey, Spuds, what’s with all this junk? It looks a little iffy to me!”
“Just chill, Augie! It’s just another great adventure…no sweat!”


“Oh wow, Spuds! We have our own Rocky Mountains in the driveway!”
“Hmmm…I don’t know about this, Augie!”


“You were right, Spuds…no sweat!”


“Wait a minute, Spuds, this doesn’t look so easy!”
“Can’t stop now…I’ll see you at the bottom, Augie!”


“I think I’ll try it this way…look out below! Here I come!”


“Whew! We made it! Now what’s going on over here?”


“Hi, Dean! Oh, well this isn’t all that exciting…been here, done this! No lead rope this time, eh?!”


“Your turn, Augie…come on over here!”


“Hey, Spuds, you don’t need to be tied when you have oats! Oats are the tie that binds!”


“Get a load of this! Mini foot, draft trimming!”


“What do you think, Spuds, should we go for it?”


“You go first Augie. I’ll follow you this time!”


“Hang in there, Spuds! You can make it! I know you can!”


“We made it! YAY! Boy, that was quite an adventure!”

Image0074

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Baling & Stacking Hay 6-21-13

0

It’s summer time, and there are tons of adventures to be had for two mini donkeys on a bustling ranch like Lucky Three. Today, Spuds and Augie explore the hay field with Meredith and test their bravery against a fearsome, loud machine.


Hey, Spuds! I hear Meredith calling…what’s up?

She’s kinda silly, Augie. Who ever heard of saying “how do you do” to a swather, Augie?


Whoa….look what’s coming!!!


WOW!!! That’s super noisy and REALLY BIG!


Oh look, Spuds, it’s not so scary. This is how they make our hay!


Yeah, and look how they pick it up with this other big machine so they can put it in the barn!


What a fun adventure in the hayfield…we learned a lot today!

AugieSpuds42113

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Farrier & Grooming 04-23-13

0


“Hey, Augie…watcha doin’?!
“I’m practicing my halter stance…you know, four-square!”


“Good idea, Augie! I guess I’ll practice my halter stance right here!”
“And I will wait for my turn at the hitch rail…I wonder what’s up today.”


“Hey Augie, you’ve got some pretty dirty feet down there!”
“Cut with the wise cracks, Spuds!”


“I sure like it when they come down to our eye level, Augie.”
“Yeah, it’s not as scary as it is when all you see is their legs…whatcha doin’ back there, Dean?”


“Your turn, Spuds! This isn’t bad at all!”
“Yeah, it’s all peace, love and OATS!”


“It doesn’t get any better than this!”


“Dang, I was working on a Mohawk…it’s the IN thing with donkeys, you know!”
“Just be happy with your crew cut, Spuds. Crew cuts are always IN!”


“Oooh, here comes the baby oil again!”
“Aah, nuts! Now I can’t chew on your mane and tail…baby oil tastes just awful!”


“Yeah, but we sure are handsome now!”

Diary Of A Rescue Part 2 8

MULE CROSSING: Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, Part 2

4

By Meredith Hodges 

In Part 1 of Rock and Roll: Diary of a Rescue, we learned about the discovery and rescue of Belgian draft mules, Rock and Roll, by Meredith Hodges and her team of experts. As the pair’s rehabilitation continues, the road to recovery gets tougher.  But for every health setback, there is a personality breakthrough with these courageous and now-trusting gentle giants—and always a reason to hope.

By May of 2011, both mules were beginning to bond well with me and I was able to separate them during workouts. I knew I would have to develop a strong bond with Roll in case Rock didn’t make it, and we all knew the odds were not in Rock’s favor. Being alone with me in the round pen helped Roll to concentrate on the tasks at hand. His way of going was markedly improving with each new lesson.

Both mules could now square up properly and move in a much more balanced frame, although holding that balance was intermittent. The personality of each mule began to emerge and they became more willing to play games and to be touched and kissed about their heads. Rock was much more overt about his pleasure during the massages, and we could finally tell that they were beginning to trust us.

By mid-June, we were able to take the pads off Rock’s back feet and reset the shoes without the pads. He had grown three-eighths of an inch of sole on both hind feet and the rotation began to improve in one back foot. Both mules were feeling much better and were actually engaging in play during turnout. Next, we discovered that due to the concussion to his rear feet from improper use during driving in the past, Roll had side bones in his right hind foot. This caused him to twist that foot as it grew out between trims, so we put shoes on his back feet as well.

Rock loved our newly acquired mini donkeys and, during turnout, he would stand by their pen for the better part of the day. Here they all are on the Fourth of July, 2011.

By that time, Rock and Roll both looked magnificent! Considering the extent of Rock’s past neglect and injuries, he had gained incredible muscle tone and balance. His eyes were bright and alert, his coat was shiny and his feet were much improved (although they still exhibited a hint of chronic founder).

Roll’s fat and lumpy body had changed dramatically. Now his body was more symmetrical and balanced, and he also sported a shiny coat and balanced feet. His eyes were alert and his appearance of laziness had completely vanished.

However, by the end of July, Rock once again began to lose muscle tone over his right hip and his front feet became very sore. We thought he and Roll may have been playing too hard, which could have caused Rock to injure himself again, so we separated them into adjoining pastures during daily turnout. At night they remained in their respective stalls and runs, side by side. Custom-made boots were ordered for Rock’s front feet to help alleviate the pressure, but unfortunately we had to wait until the first of November for delivery of the boots. By the time they arrived, they were of use for only about two weeks before the weather changed. The wet snow and mud became packed in the boots, causing Rock too much pain on the dropped soles of his feet.

While Rock was on three weeks of rest during August, he developed swelling in his sheath. He was treated with an anti-inflammatory for two weeks, but the swelling didn’t go down. Since his front feet seemed better, I decided to resume his physical therapy. Although the structured movement helped the swelling go down, it migrated to the midline of his abdomen. After two weeks of hot packing the abdomen twice a day, the swelling finally disappeared. Because Rock was becoming stronger and getting up and down more often, he was beginning to develop sores on his knees, fetlocks and hocks, and “shoe boils” on his underbelly (pressure sores caused by his hooves when lying down), all of which needed to be frequently tended to.

In September, once again there was swelling on Rock’s underside midline, which also seemed to cause him to get weaker musculature in the hips. The swelling was hot-packed, and it disappeared fairly quickly this time. By mid-October, Rock was lying down for prolonged periods of time—unhealthy for an equine—so his support team of three veterinarians, two equine chiropractors, his equine masseuse and I got together to assess his condition. All 2000 plus pounds of his weight was being shifted off his three bad feet and onto his left hind leg, causing it to track behind the right front when he walked. We decided on a regimen of phenylbutazone (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), minimal exercise, plenty of rest and icing of his feet for 15-20 minutes twice daily. Things were not looking good.

No matter what was asked of him, Rock always gave it his all. We babied him through turnout, chiropractics, trims, and massage, but it finally got to the point where we could barely get his back feet off the ground to apply the hoof dressing. We decided to remove his shoes. That day, he was so weak in the hindquarters we could not replace them and couldn’t even trim the feet without running the risk of him falling down. We waited a couple of weeks before we trimmed his heels with the aid of a custom-made, six-inch equine jack stand. That seemed to help through November and part of December, but Rock still needed the Thrush Buster and Rainmaker for hoof health. He was able to tip his hind feet forward and let us have the bottoms of his feet for a few seconds at a time so the medication could be applied. Finally, he just couldn’t manage having his feet elevated at all—the pain was too great. Around this time, we noticed that the swelling had again cropped up in his midline abdomen, which led to another week of hot packing it twice a day.

After Christmas, I decided to resume a modified version of his physical therapy. Trooper that he was, he tried with all his might, but his hips were listing terribly to the left, and the first time he went over the three one-inch ground poles, he crashed into every one of them. His third time over, he grazed just one. When I put him back in his pen, he immediately laid down. I then noticed the bulging in the coronet band of his left hind foot. He was “sinking!” We immediately called the vet and he confirmed my fear. The lamina was pulling away from the hoof wall and allowing the bones to “sink” through the sole of Rock’s hoof. It wouldn’t be long before the other feet would quickly follow suit. It was clear that he was in agony and would have to be put down, so our vet came out the ranch, loaded Rock up with anti-inflammatory and pain medications and said he would be back the next afternoon.

Every day for a year, I prayed for a miracle for Rock and each time I prayed, he got better. I now wondered if God would give us yet another miracle and let him live—but it wasn’t meant to be. On December 27th, 2011, surrounded by his Lucky Three family, our beautiful Rock took his last steps.  We all knew it was time for us to let him go. Rock was euthanized at home and died peacefully, with his head resting in my hands.

My vet Greg Farrand informed me that the president of Colorado State University had pulled together a team for Rock’s necropsy and the preservation of his skeleton as a teaching aid for the CSU Veterinary Sciences department.

When the necropsy came back, it showed not a single fracture of Rock’s pelvis, but rather multiple old fractures in the socket of the hip joint. The bottom of the socket was almost completely gone and there was a hole the size of a dime at the top of the socket. The head of the femur had no cartilage left and there was fibrosis and cysts full of fluid the entire length of the femur stem.

I have come to realize that our courageous and noble Rock gave us more than one miracle. He had been able to live one more year of life with a severely shattered hip joint and compromised femur. He proved that our balance and core muscle therapy can work wonders! And he lived long enough to give his half-brother, Roll, the chance to bond with people who will love and care for him for the rest of his life. Thank you and God bless you, Rock. We will miss you.

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on FacebookYouTube and Twitter.

© 2012, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

IMG 0538

LTR MULES: Musing on Mini Grooming

0

6-22-22

Since I now have 16 equines, 3 donkeys, 12 mules and a miniature horse, it is not always convenient to bring them all up to the Tack Barn work station for grooming. I used to have 32 equines! As I get older, I find myself a lot busier (One would think it would be the other way around…LOL!). I am glad I have less animals to groom each week! My show days have long since passed, so I limit the training to those who need core strength tune-ups and simple pleasure rides around the ranch. Forunately, my routine way of management and training resulted in good behaviors and a willingness to comply with my wishes. Sometimes, to save time, I just fill a bucket with my grooming tools (Plastic human hairbrush, Johnson’s Baby oil, clippers, Cool Lube, scissors for ergots, Neosporin and Tri-Tech 14 fly spray) and groom them in turnout areas, or in the stalls and runs. I call them to the gate, give them a reward for coming and begin my routine grooming.

I start by clipping their bridle paths in the summer and fall. This keeps them from getting over-heated. I will let their bridle paths grow out in the winter and spring to keep the warmth within their bodies. Grooming gives them great pleasure when it is done correctly and politely!

They are always rewarded for cooperating during grooming, so they hang around and don’t wander off. I even reward the ones in the neighboring pens to reinforce “handing out.” I always clean ears, eyes and nostrils, and will do this daily with donkeys that typically have runny eyes. It isn’t their favorite, but they will tolerate it for the crimped oats reward! They all like to SUPERVISE the grooming of each other! They are pretty funny! It makes our time together very enjoyable!

I use my multi-bristled, plastic human hairbrush both to apply the lightly-sprinkled Johnson’s baby oil AND to go over their bodies as they are shedding. It gets all the way to the roots, flips out the dirt, and promotes a well-aerated, healthy hair coat. When the coats are short, I can use a dandy brush, or bring them up for vacuuming with yearly baths in July.

A common practice is to braid manes and tails to get them to grow longer. I have found that this will often cause the hair to break. Plus, it is difficult for the animals to swat flies with braided manes and tails. Quite simply put, it hurts! I use Johnson’s Baby oil during weekly grooming, sprinkled in the manes and tails. It does a good job of protecting the hair and doesn’t get as greasy as you might think. The day before a show, I bathe them with water only over the body and scrape off the dirt with a shedding blade. I only use Tres Semme shampoo and Aussie #X conditioner in the manes and tails. If I am going to show them, I let the manes and tails partially dry and braid them for overnight. When you take out the braids the next day, their manes and tails will be much fuller! Even the thinner and wilder manes on mules will respond positively to this treatment.

Lots of my animals are older and have issues with runny eyes. If I am not showing them, I will “cut their bangs” to keep the hair from irritating their eyes. Even when showing, I can trim the bangs so they aren’t cut straight across and look funny.

The minis are much calmer when I try to stay down at their level whenever possible. I gather the excess hair and remove it from the areas where I groom. If they decide to eat it, it could cause impactions. Better to be safe than sorry!

Although they are all fine with fly spray, this time, I am going to take pictures for this article so I am haltering them and tying to the fence. Then I will just go down the line and fly spray them all at once. They are very willing to stand the way I position them for the pictures. When I am done, I release them! Grooming is FUN!!!

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on FacebookYouTube and Twitter.

© 2022 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

AugieSpuds0218

Longears Music Videos: Little Big Shots: LTR Miniatures

0

See more Longears Music Videos

LMVAugieSpuds

Longears Music Videos: Spa Day: Miniature Donkeys Augie and Spuds

0

See more Longears Music Videos

Facebook Snowplay Scaled

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: SnowPlay

0

12-4-19

AASA A Visit To Asspen 9

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: A Visit To Asspen

0

7-24-21

“Hmmmm….this feels REALLY good, Spuds!”

“This looks promising…another adventure!”

“Now we are both shed out, clean and ready for our
adventure, Augie!”

“Oh, look, Spuds! It’s Wrangler & Chasity! Oats
around…LOL!!”

“It’s Mirage and Francis, Augie…more oats…YAY!!!

Francis sure is PURDY, Augie!
“Still got that crush…eh, Spuds!”

“Nice to have Robin with us this time!” Are we going to get a trim?
It looks like Dean, Augie!”

“No, Spuds, maybe a bath at this Bath House?”
“This boardwalk is kinda tricky, Augie!”

“How about a haircut at the Barbershop, Spuds?”
“No, thank you, Augie! I had one last week!”

“Ah, what have we here, Spuds?
“Don’t ask, Augie! I think this is the Undertaker!”

“Oh, this is easy as pie, Augie!”
“Yeah, Yeah, Spuds!”

“Oats and a pat on the head is ALWAYS good, Augie!”
“I would agree, Spuds!”

“HMMM…sheet on the boardwalk, Augie!”

“No sweat, Spuds! We’re at the WILD ASS SALOON…
wanna drink, Spuds?”

“No? Well let’s just head around the corner then, Spuds!”

 “Under and around a hitch rail?…that’s new, Augie!”

“Time for the oats reward again, Spuds!”
“Hey, what about me, Augie?”

“Did you see the sign, Spuds? We are now leaving ASSPEN!”

“It was another GREAT ADVENTURE, Augie!
So many things to see!”

“Agreed! Too bad we have to go home now, Spuds!

“Oh, well! Jump right into the stall for more OATS, Augie!”

“Oats and a nap…sounds good, Spuds!”

AugieSpuds61212

Another Augie & Spuds Adventure: Learning to Ground Drive

1

“Augie, come with me while she’s not looking!”

 

“Now that's more like it--working at OUR level!”

“I really like it when she works at OUR level!”

 

“A few last-minute adjustments so everything fits us just right!”

“You have to be really still when she’s punching holes!”

 

“Leading as a team is easy if you’ve done your homework.”

“Leading as a team is easy if you have done your homework!”

 

“Hey, I wonder if WE could use one of those sticks to reach farther!”

“What’s with the stick?!”

 

“Hmm, “Walk on” is pretty much the same, even with all this stuff on us!”

“Walk on?…oh, I remember that!”

 

“Pick up your heels, Spuds, I think she wants us to go faster!”

“I think she wants us to pass her!”

 

“Not too fast, though… she wants us walking beside her here.”

“Oh, I get it…she wants us to walk beside her now!”

 

“Now we’re the leaders—all our hard work in training is finally paying off!”

“WOW! Cool! We get to be in front now!”

 

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on FacebookYouTube and Twitter.

© 2012, 2017, 2021, 2023 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

Yearly Baths Are Fun7 13 20 13

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Yearly Baths Are Fun! 7-13-20

0

What do you suppose is happening today, Augie?”

“Yippee! It’s a 102 degrees and bath time!”

Baths with Billy Bad Ass are really fun, Spuds!”

“Excuse me, Augie! I need the hose for Spuds now.”

“Thanks, Augie, now the left front, please.”

“What a GOOD BOY! Thanks, Augie!”

“Now the right front, please!”

“You are so AWESOME, Augie!”

“Hey, Augie, why are YOU getting all the praise… and the oats?!”

“I dunno, Spuds, but this hairbrush sure feels good and it’s really getting out all that dead hair! Feels GREAT!”

“Aw, Spuds, were you feeling left out?!”

“Not really, Mom, just make sure I get some oats!”

“Okay, Spuds, let me have your leg and I’ll give you some oats!”

“Okay, Augie, now that your mane is done, let’s do the rest of you.”

“Hmmmm…this tastes pretty good on a hot day!”

“You are so adorable, Augie! Love your cutesy face!”

“Yeah, Yeah! Give it a rest, Mom! This is embarrassing!”

“Now for your teeth, Augie, smile pretty…

and the front leg…

…and now the back leg!”

“What a GOOD BOY!” Wanna drink, Augie?!”

“Sure, Mom, why not?!”

“Hey, Spuds, this is cool with you me and Billy Bad Ass!”

“Yeah, Augie, not too bad and we dry pretty quickly.

Here comes the Baby oil and fly spray!”

“We’re getting pretty good at the gates, eh, Augie?!”

“When you get oats for doing it right, it’s even better yet, Spuds!”

“Of course, she WOULD throw us a curve! That is one HUMUNGOUS truck, Augie! Are you sure we’re okay?”

“Of course, we are! She would never ask us to do anything that would hurt us! She LOVES US!”

“I suppose you’re right, Augie!”


AugieSpuds WE ARE NOT AFRAID 10520 16

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: WE ARE NOT AFRAID! 10-5-20

0

“I wonder where we are off to today, Augie?”

“It’s down the road to another adventure, Spuds!”

“Hi, Guys! How are you all doing?”

“I know they want to go with us, Augie!”

“It’s another meet-the-heavy-equipment day, Spuds!”

“Yeah, first the backhoe and now the skidsteer, Spuds!”

“Oh, check this out, Spuds, SUPER FUN!”

“Hey, Augie, wait for me! Yee Haw!”

“Don’t we all look like another statue, Spuds?!”

“YUP, but it’s time to go, Augie! Whoopee!”

“You take the high road and I’ll take the low road, and I’ll get there before you, Augie!”

“You can’t be King of the Mountain without going HIGH, Spuds!”

“AND, you learn to pick your way CAREFULLY, Spuds!”

“I’d rather be jumping, Augie! It’s MUCH MORE FUN!”

“I can jump, too, Spuds, and HIGHER than you!”

“Each to his own… knock yourself out, Augie!”

“I am a true energy-conserver, Augie!”

“And maybe a bit lazy, eh Spuds! Come on! This  one’s easy, Spuds!”

“I was just waiting for you to get out of the way… so I could jump!”

“Yeah! Yeah! Sure you were, Spuds! “I’m not afraid, Augie!”

“Walking in sync is harder than people might think, eh, Spuds?!”

“Yeah… and so is posing for the pictures she wants!”

“It’s easy when you have core strength and flexibility, Spuds! Then you can BOTH get what you want!”

“Sure is smoky out here from the fires, Augie!”

“Yeah, but it’s nice to be out for another adventure!”

“OH, what’s she doing now, Augie?!”

“I think we are supposed to follow, Spuds… IN SYNC!”

“Isn’t SHE being lazy now, Augie?!”

“Not really, Spuds… she’s getting older! So, we need to be cooperative… so we can have more ADVENTURES!”

Exploring The JASPER CAROUSEL 5 19 20 3

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Exploring the JASPER CAROUSEL 5-19-20

0

Augie and Spuds always look forward to their adventures and this would be no exception!

Where are we going this time, Augie?”

“It seems we are in the backyard of the JASPER BUNKHOUSE, Spuds!”

“What?! This is scary, Augie!”

“Oh Spuds, you know how to go through the gate, so just cut the drama and come and get your reward!”

“Oh WOW! Check this out, Spuds!”

“There are ‘little guys’ just like us in here! Mom says this one is named Valentine!”

“Look out there, Augie! Grass!” “Hey, Spuds! It’s Jasper!!!” “Check out Okie Dokey, Spuds. He’s a little donkey!”

“Hey, Spuds! It’s Jasper!!!”

“Awh! We LOVE Jasper so much!”

“And don’t forget about Moxie! He’s so cool!”

“Check it out, Spuds! We’re carousel donkeys!”

“I think I’ll just pose with Jasper!”

“Okay! Okay! So we’re carousel donkeys!”

“Smile and say ‘Jasper,’ Augie!”

“But I’m not ready to go yet, Augie! Jasper still wants me!”

“That was a lot of fun wasn’t it, Spuds?! It was another great adventure!”
















IMG 6743

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Old Western Town Project

0

3-26-20

Augie and Spuds have been very patient with me for the past year when I did not have time to do anything but grooming once a week and turnout. They were so thrilled to be able to go on another ADVENTURE! Today, we are going to inspect a new project, the false-front town of ASSPEN!

We thought this would be a really nice way to spruce up the big, brown boring wall behind the Lucky Three Eclipse statue and make things even more interesting for our tours! Going through the construction zone gives them a chance to practice their good manners and earn their rewards! Although, Spuds is in the lead out of the barn, he prefers it when Augie leads over and through obstacles.

Whatever works best… it’s always negotiable!

“Hey, Augie! What’s this?!”

“I don’t know, Spuds. It looks very interesting though.”

Augie surveys the situation, “Hmmm…a new obstacle course, maybe?!”

“I’m not sure about this, Augie!”

“It’s really easy, Spuds…and kind of fun!”

“Hey, Boys! Welcome to ASSPEN Town!”

“Here’s the Burro Bank, the ASSPEN Sheriff’s Office & Jail, the Chaney Church

and the Okie Dokey Undertaker

“And concrete, Augie!”

“This must be the boardwalk sidewalk, eh Augie?!”

“Yup, but no boards yet! It would be easier with boards!”

“This is the best part, Spuds!”

“You bet! It’s good to be good!”

“And here’s the Half-Ass General Store, L.J.’s Barber Shop and the Crazy Ass Saloon!”

“It’s a little tight going between the boards and the fence, eh, Augie?!”

“No sweat, Spuds! Just pay attention to where you are going!”

“Did she build all this just for US, Augie?!”

“No, Spuds, I think it is for the people that come for tours, but we get to check it out first.”

“Well, it sure makes for a fun obstacle course, Augie!”

“It sure does and it’s great to be able to get out for a walk!”

“Now we have to pose for the camera, Spuds! Try to look nice!”

“Do I really have to?!!!

“Thanks, Mom! That was fun!!!”

“Yeah, Augie, I like the oats and the ‘snuggles’ afterwards best!”

“I always like our BIG adventures, Spuds!”

“Me, too, Augie!

IMG 1035

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Shenanigans in the Hayfields

0

6-6-18

Do you need some help with the lead ropes?
  

The saddle mules are headed for turnout. Where do you think we are going, Spuds?

Looks like we’re headed for the hayfield, Augie!

Looks like you were right, Spuds!
Isn’t it beautiful, Augie?!

What is that big yellow thing, Augie?!
That’s Chad, Spuds…oh, you mean the swather?!

How do you do, Augie? Now smile for the picture!

How do you do, Spuds? Not so sure?

WOW! That big thing sure makes a lot of noise!

Now where are we going, Augie?!

These are some really deep windrows!

And some really tall grass is growing in the jump course, Augie!

Boy, I’ll say it’s tall, Spuds! I can’t see a thing! Where are we going?

Spuds, Augie, Are you guys into having a picnic out here?

You bet! This is really cool!

Smile for the camera, Boys!

We are very happy with you, Mini Momma, aren’t we Spuds?!

I wuv you, too, Mini Momma!

And I love you both!  What a grand picnic!

IMG 9649CC ROLL Slide Show 4 15 18

What’s New with Roll? Spring Work in the Hourglass Pattern

0

3-28-18

Roll did exceptionally well today! He was also happy that he got to work out with his little buddies, Augie and Spuds. His body is beginning to get toned up again and he is starting to shed off his winter coat.

I did a quick pass with the hairbrush and then the vacuum cleaner. Last was Johnson’s Baby Oil in his mane and tail. I noticed right away during the grooming process that he was finally put weight on his right hind foot again.

On the way to the arena, I led Roll and Steve led Augie and Spuds.

Roll executed the gate perfectly as he always has. There is really something to be said for GATE TRAINING! With routine practice, they always know exactly what is expected and respond accordingly…no fussing at all.

Roll got his turn in the hourglass pattern first and did amazingly well while Augie and Spuds waited patiently at the fence.

I never had to physically move a foot with any tugs on the rope. He responded 100% to the verbal commands to correct his stance when he was in a full stop and fully weighted all four feet this time when he was asked to do so.

To fully weight the foot in the arena, he had to push the sand down. Sometimes I asked him to do it and sometimes I did not. With the ringbone and side bones in three feet, I really did not expect him to come back to full balance, but he did! What a great surprise!

After a halt on centerline, he followed me obediently to the fence with the lead rope slung over his neck.

When I went to retrieve him he was sideways to the fence, but he moved over so I could release him from the fence on my hand signal alone.

Roll executed the gate perfectly again on the way out…

…then we proceeded down the road and back to the Tack Barn. What a guy!!!

 

See more What’s New With Roll? posts

IMG 9637

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Ground Drive Hourglass Pattern with Roll

1

“This vacuum sure feel good, Spuds!”

“Yeah, Augie, but why is Roll here with us?”

“Not sure, Spuds, but she’s putting on our driving gear.

We haven’t done that in a very long time! Can you tell where we are going?””

“Not really! I can see underneath, but Roll still makes a better door than a window! Is he going with us?!”

“It looks more like we are going with HIM, Spuds!”

 “Oh look, Spuds! It’s the hourglass pattern! It must be ground driving today!”

She just got done leading Roll through the pattern and now you get to ground drive the pattern. Why do I have to go last?!

“Because that’s just the way it is, Augie! Just stay cool and chill while we do this thing in sync. I love to see if she can match my tiny steps!”

“One…two…three…four. She’s doing pretty good, Augie!”

Finally, it’s MY turn now, Spuds…one…two…three…four!”

“You watch, Spuds! I’m putting my whole body into it”

“Apparently she liked it! That was really fun and EASY!”

“Ah Gee, Spuds, do we have to go back already!”

“I don’t know about you, Augie, but I’m ready for supper!”

“You’re always ready for supper. That’s why you are so PORTLY, PUDS!”

 

See more Another Adventure With Augie and Spuds posts

Augie Spuds 10 21 16 145

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Because It’s There

2

augie-spuds-10-21-16-006

“It’s a beautiful Fall day, Augie! Where do you think we are we going this time?”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-012

“Maybe I shouldn’t have asked!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-024

“It wasn’t really THAT bad, was it, Spuds?!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-044

“Hey, Spuds, come look in here! It’s pretty cool!”

“Has she finally lost her mind, Augie?! We can’t fit in there!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-056

“It’s okay Fellas! We aren’t really going to try to climb in there! I was just kidding!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-074

“Guess the joke was on us this time, eh Augie?…Hmmmm…what’s this?”

“THIS is a big ditch full of water with a floating culvert, Spuds!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-081

“Oh fun!…Another mountain! I’m get to go first this time, Augie!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-117

“Boy, are these guys BIG, Augie! They are all really nice though!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-139

“Oh good, we get to see even more of our BIG friends, Spuds!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-145

“Where are we headed now, Augie!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-156

“It looks like we have some gate-training going on here, Spuds!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-160

“Remember to stand quietly while she shuts the gate, Augie!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-177

“She’s really proud of this new bathroom they are building, Spuds, so be sure to seem interested so you don’t hurt her feelings!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-207

“Okay, I’m in Augie, but I am also ready to exit stage right!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-222

“Wait a second, You Guys, I have a rock in my shoe!”

“Wait, Spuds, Mom has a rock in her shoe!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-255

“Isn’t this a cool statue, Spuds?”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-271

“Yeah, that one was cool, but this one is my favorite, Augie!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-303

“Hey, Spuds! This one is just our size!!!”

augie-spuds-10-21-16-319

“More gate training and we’re home again! What a great time we had on such a gorgeous Fall day!

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com.Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Augsspuds Resize

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Ground Drive Hayfield

0

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-003_cc

“Hey, Augie! The sign says, ‘Beware of the Ass,’ but I say, ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer!’ We might actually have to do some work!”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-013_cc

“It’s nice to have a “Header” to follow right out of the Tack barn! That way we can start out on the right “feet!”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-023_cc

“One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…I wonder where we are headed today, Spuds?!”

augsspuds_resize2

“Oh, WOW! We get to go to the hayfield, Spuds. Wide open spaces are FUN!”

augsspuds_resize

“Be sure to stay in sync, Spuds! One, two, three, four…one, two, three, four…”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-053_cc

“Gotcha, Augie! Boy is this grass GREEN!”

cropaugie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-093_cc

“Great halt, Spuds! Now remember we can’t move or we won’t get our oats reward!”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-117_cc

“Aah, what’s this, Augie!”

“It’s just a culvert so we don’t have to jump the water in the ditch anymore, Spuds!”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-118_cc

“This is A LOT easier, Augie!”

augie-spuds-ground-drive-8-19-16-120_cc

“I guess we’re headed for home now, Augie!”

“Another wonderful adventure, eh Spuds?! Maybe we really don’t have to ‘Beware of the Ass Trainer’ after all!”

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 

WN SA070516 004

Another Augie and Spuds Adventure: Spa Day

0

WN-SA070516-001

“Hey, Augie! It sure is hot…great day for a bath don’t you think?”

“Well, Roll seems pretty pleased after his bath looking in the window at
himself like that! Who needs a mirror?!”

WN-SA070516-002

“Hey, Spuds! I found a gold mine of oats AND grass!!!”

WN-SA070516-003

“A little WET, but not too bad!”

WN-SA070516-004

“Oooooh! That water is kinda cold, Spuds! Shocking!!!”

WN-SA070516-005

“Don’t pout, Spuds! It isn’t THAT cold and she will be done with you
in a minute! Suck it up!”

WN-SA070516-006

“What’s up, Spuds? Eat your oats!”
“I can’t be BOUGHT, Augie!”

WN-SA070516-007

“No Spuds, but you could cut off your nose to spite your face!”
“Hey, Mom…come back! I want the oats now!”

WN-SA070516-008

“You’re lucky she came back, Spuds!”

WN-SA070516-009

“We are two REALLY LUCKY guys, Augie! She’s the best!”

 

To learn more about Meredith Hodges and her comprehensive all-breed equine training program, visit LuckyThreeRanch.com or call 1-800-816-7566. Check out her children’s website at JasperTheMule.com. Also, find Meredith on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

© 2016, 2017, 2021 Lucky Three Ranch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Page 1 of 212»